Voting-machine.



No. 818,165- PATENTED APR. 1'7, 1906.

G. F. HARRINGTON.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 001210. 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l. I a 5 5' PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

C. P. HARRINGTON. VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION IILEDOGT. 10. 1904.

5 SHEETS-BHEBT 2.

0'. P HARRINGTON. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED QCTllO, 1904.

PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET a.

N0. 818,165. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906. G. P. HARRINGTON. VOTING MACHINE.APPLICATION FILED 00110. 1904.

5 SHBETS SHBET 4.

JMMeW/Zor:

4 M; mu @Wf aw 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

PATENTED APR. 17, 1906. C. F. HARRINGTON. VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATIONFILED 0012.10, 1904.

UNITED sTArps i PATENT orrrcn.

CHARLES F. HARRINGTON, OF LYNDHURST, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TO THE DIALVOTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF LYN DHURST, NEW J ERSEY, A CORPORATION OFNEWV JERSEY.

VOTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 17, 1906.

Application filed October 10. 1904:- Serial No. 227,800.

State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Voting-Ma chines, of which the following is a specifi.

cation.

The invention relates to mechanical means for registering the choice ofcandidates for office by the voters in an election.

machine which shall be simple in construc-, tion and operation, easilyset by the voter to register his selection of candidates or party,

eral counters without the employment of delicate and complicatedintermediate mechanism liable to derangement, and which shall conform tothe requirements of the election laws, occupy but little space, and beeasily transported and set up for service.

The machine comprises a casing or turret in the form of superposedcylinders, each of smaller diameter than the next below, thus forming asuccession of circular decks upon which the names of the candidates forthe several offices are radially arranged in the order of the severalparties. Through an annular slot in each turret above each deck projectthe ends of a series of radial bars or actuators which may be moved tothe name se lected. When the desired actuators are thus set, they are inoperative relation to corresponding counters on which the votes for theselected names are registered. Means are provided for effecting theregistering movement simultaneously, for easily setting all theactuators to the names of all the candidates on a party-ticket, and forconditioning the machine for the next voter. Means are also provided forballoting for independent candidates whose names are not upon the ticketof either party for a selected ofiice, for throwing out of service anycounters or series of counters not required in any election, and forinsuring entire secrecy of the selections made by any voter and thenumber of votes cast for any candidate, and for easily and quicklyascertaining the result of the vote for each office.

The invention consists in certain novel features and arrangements ofparts and details of construction by which the above objects areattained, to be hereinafter described.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show apreferred form of the invention.

Flgure 1 1s a side elevation of the complete machlne, certain portionsbeing shown in vertical section; and Fig. 2 is a corresponding planView. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the main portion of themachine, on a larger I scale, certain portions being in elevation. Theobject of the invention is to provide a Fig. 4 is a corresponding planview. Fig. 5 1s a horizontal sectlon taken on several different levelsthrough the upper part of the ma- I chine and showing certain portionsin plan and when so set actlng directly upon the sevview. Fig. 6 is asimilar view on a lower level. Fig. 7 is a vertical diametrical sectionat one side of the machine, showing the actuators and counters inelevation on a still larger scale; and Fig. 8 is an elevation of thecorresponding portion of the exterior. Fig. 9 is a vertical section,partly in elevation, showing the mechanism at the upper portion of themachine. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of one of the actuators. Fig. 11 isa corresponding plan view. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the locking meansfor preventing repeating. Fig. 13 is a vertical section showing suchlocking means in elevation, and Fig. 14 is a corresponding view showingthe lockingbolt in section. Fig. 15 is a side view of the locking-boltalone. Fig. 16 is a vertical sec tion showing in side view the mechanismfor receiving and depositing an independent ballot, and Fig. 17 is acorresponding front view. Fig. 18 is a side view of one of the counterson a still larger scale, and Fig. 19 is a corresponding front elevation.Fig. 20 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, corresponding to thelower portion of Fig. 3, but on a larger scale; and Fig. 21 is a plan ofcertain of the same parts,

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

The casing forming the turret comprises a series of rings or annularcastings, one above the other and supported by brackets formed on each.The lowermost ring A has a circular bottom A, cast with four verandscrewed firmly home. A carries a vertical standard A", screwed 'thestandards A pass.

ical deck A The second ring is supported above the first, with acircumferential space between them, by tubular bosses A, extending fromthe lower face of the deck to the corresponding bosses A on the bottomand receiving the standards A The tubular bosses also extend upwardlyfrom the deck, as at A The next ring A is cylindrical and is supportedabove the inner portion of the ring A*, with a narrow circumferentialslot 0, between them, by tubular bosses A on the radial brackets A Thefourth ring A is of the same outer diameter as the ring below and isseparated therefrom by a circumferential space and has an inclined deckA terminating in a low cylindrical flange A. This fourth ring carriesradial brackets A and downwardly-extending tubular bosses A receivingthe standards, and these .four rings are held, as shown, by nuts Aapplied upon the upper ends of the standards Each bracket therein nearerthe casing. The fifth ring A is cylindrical and is supported above theflange A with a narrow slot a between them, by brackets A and bosses Ainclosing the standards A". The sixth ring A has an outer diameter equalto the ring A below and is separated therefrom by a space and has aninclined deck A terminating in a cylindrical flange A This ring issimilarly supported at the proper height by brackets A and bosses A,through which The seventh and last ring A forms the cover for the wholeand has a depending flange A and a 'circular top A. The flange A isseparated from the flange A by a narrow circumferential slot a and issupported by hollow brackets of inverted-U section (marked A extendingin the same plane as the top A and receiving the standards A in bosses Aforming seats for the holding nuts A. Thus arranged there are, ineffect, four cylindrical portions of the casing, each of less diameterthan the next below, joined by three conical or inclined decks ofcorrespondingly less diameters, and immediately above each deck is oneof the narrow circumferential slots a a a A vertical shaft B extendsaxially of the casing and is supported with liberty to partially rotateby a sleeve B, having an 1nwardly-projecting flange B engaged beneath anannular shoulder B on the shaft at the bottom end. The sleeve B isloosely connected to the shaft, as will be explained,

' and supports the weight of the latter and its connections through aflange or wheel B resting upon a washer A on the bottom A of the casing.The upper end of the shaft is inclosed in a sleeve G, matching to anopening a in the center of the top or cover A and serving as a guide forthe upper end of differs in construction from the others.

The actuators of the lowermost series are marked C, certain portionsbeing designated by supernumerals, as C C Each is preferably of sheetmetal, as offering the desired qualities of lightness, stiffness, andstrength, and consists of a flat horizontal body portion O, having anopening larger than the sleeve 0, on which it is mounted, the dilferencebeing made up by a ring C of the same thicker than the body and servingto permit the actuators to be moved with little friction on the sleeve.The outer portion of the body is folded or bent, as at C to standvertically at a right angle to the main portion of the body, and to thisvertical portionis riveted the vertical part C of a bifurcated arm Calso of sheet metal, one part 0 extending through the slot a andterminating in a small disk or finger-piece C by which it may be movedcircumferentially of the casing immediately above the deck A All of thisseries are alike with the exception of one, which terminates in an indexor pointer C for a purpose to be described. The other arm C of each forkterminates within the casing in a horizontal toe C wider than thethickness of the sheet metal. The bodies of these sixteen actuators aremounted one above the other on the sleeve 0, inclosing the lower portionof the shaft B, and are separated by washers C and confined in placebetween a flange C on the lower end of the sleeve and a nut C on theupper end. The several arms are attached to the portions C by theirvertical parts C so that all may be formed alike, and located in thesame level by riveting at varying heights, and the bodies constitutingthe lower half of the series are applied with the folded part up, whilethe upper half is applied with the folded part down in order to savevertical space in the machine.

The second series of actuators is marked D. The bodies D are similar inall respects to those above described and are similarly mounted on asleeve D having rings D inclosing the shaft B, and having a flange D andnut D and supported on a stationary bar A, to which the flange D issecured, extending diametrically of the casing and carried by lugs (notshown) at opposite points on the interior of the ring A The arms D ofthis series differ widely from those of the series beneath. Each has adisk or head D projecting through the slot a above the deck A and eachhas a portion 1), terminating IIO in a toe D as before; but each has anopening d and a channel d leading thereto, formed by two oppositelyplaced lugs D D one above and the other below the channel, the lugs oneach succeeding actuator being placed further from the shaft B for apurpose which will appear.

The upper series of actuators E are differently mounted. Each is pivotedat the inner end to a ring E, the pivots being spaced as required, andthe ring is held by screws E to a diametrically-extending bar A, similarto the bar A and supported on inwardlyprojecting lugs A on the interiorof the casing-ring A Each actuator E is bifurcated, as shown, and has anarm E extending through the slot a and carrying a head or disk E theother arm E terminating within the casing in a toe E.

So far as yet described the actuators C and D may be movedcircumferentially in the slots a a at pleasure, while the actuators Eare limited in their movements by the hollow brackets A and also by theeccentricity of their pivots relatively to the casing.

Upon the lowermost inclined deck A in the vicinity of the pointer C is aseries of radially-arranged names of the political parties ofieringcandidates for the several offices. As shown in the drawings fiveparties are represented, and a corresponding number of candidates namessimilarly arranged is provided for, with an Independent space among theparties and a blank for an inde pendent candidate among the names foreach office, making six in all, in the vicinity of each actuator-head Cas under the headings Governor, Congressman.

The actuators D are permitted the longest range of motion and aretherefore best adapted for service in the selection of candidates likelyto be voted for in groups, as Members of General Assembly, ExciseCommissioners, or Board of Aldermen, the several names being arranged ingroups in the order of their parties, one name of each party in eachgroup, on the inclined deck A The actuators E, having a limitedmovement, are adapted for voting Yes or No or For or Against on certainpropositions, as Constitutional Amendment or Park Act, marked on thedeck A immedi ately below the heads E With the foregoing explanation.the principle on which the invention is based may be understood. It issimply to place each actuator adjacent to the name or names of thecandidate or candidates for that office or offices or at Yes or No forany proposition presented and means coacting with the actuators toregister the selections. It is of course also necessary that means forsetting all the candidate-actuators simultaneously for a strictly partyvote shall be provided; that provision for permitting a split ticket tobe voted must be made; that means for receiving votes for independentcandidates not named on either party-ticket must be furnished; means forregistering the selections and the easy and accurate counting of thesame; means for resetting the machine at zero or no candidate, returningall the actuators after an elector has voted means for preventingrepeating, and means for in suring secrecy as to the choice made by thevoter. All these essentials are provided for and will be described.First the means for registering will be explained. The sleeve G,inclosing the upper portion of the shaft B and extending through the topA has an annular groove g on its exterior, in which are received theends of two pins G G, extending through the skirt G of a second slidingsleeve G rotating with the shaft by means of a transverse pin 13*through the latter, engaged in vertical slots g, which permit thesliding sleeve and-its connections to be raised or lowered relatively tothe shaft by elevating and lowering the free end of an operatinglever Gfulcrumed on an antifriction-roller G on the opposite end of the leverand engaged with the sliding sleeve G by pins G G, screwed into oppositesides of a yoke G forming part of the lever and extending intocorresponding holes in the sliding sleeve. The rising and sinkingmovements of the op erating-lever are thus communicated to the sleeve Gand to its radial arms G without partaking in the partial rotations ofthe shaft. From the ends of the arms G hang a corresponding number ofrods G, supporting a ring G near the bottom of the casing, and a similarring G at a higher level, (see Figs. 8, 5, 6, and 7,) and each arm alsocarries a shorter rod G nearer the center, supporting a ring G ofsmaller diameter near the top. The arms G rise and sink within thehollow brackets A and through suitable openings in the uppermost deck AOn. the rings are groups of counters F, each having an operat ingstar-wheel F the distance between each star-wheel and the next being butlittle in cxcess of the width of the actuator-toes, so that if one ofthe latter be placed even approximately near the name to be voted itwill be struck by the corresponding star-wheel when the counter-ringsare elevated by the operating-lever and turned to register one vote. Allthe counter-rings are elevated at once and by the same movement, andconsequently all the candidates and propositions will be voted for whichthe actuators have been located. Sufficient space is left be tweengroups of counters to permit the unobstructed passage of any toe theactuator of which has not been moved from zero.

The mechanism for voting for independent candidates is shown in detailin Figs. 16 and 1.7. H is a plate on the deck, one at each office,having a transverse slot h, from which extends a flattened tube Hdownwardly within the casing. The lower end of the tube is normallyclosed by a swinging gate H held in position by gravity and supported onpivots H in lugs on the tube. An arm H projects laterally from one sideof the gate in the path of a cam-lever H shaped to engage the arm H whentilted and open the passage through the tube. The cam-lever is supportedon the adjacent counter-ring with its tail H occupying the same relativeposition as one of the star-wheels and having the same thickness. Theactuator is moved to the sixth or independent space over the plate H,and a card ballot upon which the voter writes the name of the candidateis dropped into the slot 72/, but is prevented from passing through bythe gate. The next elevation of the counter-ring brings the tail H intocontact with the actuator-toe and the gate is swung back, permitting theballot to fall into any suitable receptacle (not shown) within thecasing or into a chute leading to a receptacle conveniently placed.

The means for setting the actuators simultaneously to the severalcandidates names comprising a party-ticket is shown as operating onlythe lowermost and intermediate actuators C and D, the upper series E,being arranged for voting only Yes or No or For or Against, may beeasily set individually to such propositions as are to be voted upon.

The setting mechanism comprises a wheel J, loosely mounted on the shaftB, the hub or center J receiving pins J set in an opening or yoke in ahand-lever J one end of which is supported and rides upon a longsegmental lug A on the casing-ring A and the other end J 4 projectingthrough a slot 0. opposite to the lug A and in the same portion of thecasing. The projecting end is provided with a handle J by which thewheel may be oscillated or partially rotated. The face or rim J of thewheel is of considerable width or depth and is notched at oppositepoints j j to receive the hand-lever. The wheel is supported by thelatter and carries a series of pins J projecting upwardly from the rimand adapted to engage the actuators D, lying each between two pins, anda similar series J projecting downwardly and similarly engaging thelower series 01 actuators C. The slot a? has a notch a at about themidlength of the lower edge, in which the handlever J lies normally withthe wheel depressed sufficiently to remove the pins J from the paths ofthe actuators D and permit them to be moved without interference withthe pins, while the lower set of pins J are of such length as to lie inthe path of the actuators C in both the depressed and elevated positionsof the wheel. l/Vhen the hand-lever is raised out of its notch a andmoved circumferentially of the casing in the slot at, the wheel J iscorrespondingly ele-' vated and partially rotated, its pins engaging allthe actuators of both series and carrying them all together in the samedirection as far as desired. The hand-lever may then be moved back tothe notch (1, the space be tween the pins permitting the movementwithout displacing the actuators, which retain their positions bygravity and friction, and an upward'movement of the counterrings willregister on all counters whose paths are in line with the toes of theactuators. The pointer C on one of the actuators indicates the positionof all the actuators and is shown as moved to Dem. indicating theDemocratic ticket. If by inadvertence the pointer be moved beyond thedesired party name, number, or emblem indicating the party, it may bemoved backward by reversing the direction of movement of the leversufficiently to take up the lost motion between the pins and bring thelatter against the opposite sides of the actuators and force them back,the handlever being again brought to the central position and allowed tofall into its notch. The vote will be for all the party candidatesindicated by the position of the pointer, and, as before explained, thewidth of the toes C and D on the actuators is sufficient to insurecontact with the corresponding star-wheels even though the pointer benot exactly in line with the party name.

When, as above described, the hand-lever has been dropped into its notcha the wheel J is lowered and the actuators D are entirely freed, whilethe actuators C are also free to be moved individually as far aspermitted by the next pin in the lower set J these pins being so spacedas to allow such movement to the extent of covering all the candidatesand independent space for each office, and the machine is thusconditioned for voting a split ticket. As many party candidates may bevoted as desired, any scratches being voted by moving the actuator C forthat of'fice to any other candidate or to the independent space. Theactuators D being entirely free may be moved to vote any can didate orgroup of candidates or independent votes.

The mechanism for resetting all the actuators at zero is operated by theshaft B-. The circular fence or flange A on the top A, encircling theshaft, is provided with a notch a, into which the operating-lever Gr maydrop, and has a stop A for preventing the movement of the lever past thenotch in one directicn and another stop A to limit the motion in theoppc site directic n, the stops being s) located as to permit ahalf-revolution of the shaft. Assuming the several actuators to belocated as desired by the voter and the operating-lever in the notch a",the act of raising the lever raises all the counters and registers votesfor the candidates selected. The; subsequent movement of the operatinglae-"1; upon the upper edge of the fence A to the opposite step A causesthe shaftB to make the-half revolution and carries with it any attachedmechanism. K is a. wheel or spiderframe located below the sleeve G andhaving a hub K incl: sing the shaft and held in place vertically by apin B set in the shaft and lying in a slot or long notch 7c in the hub.The rim of the spider-frame carries a series of downwardly-projectingpins K one between each actuator E and the next, adapted to contact withthe actuattrs and cause them to move. The slot or notch 1c permits aportion of the movement of the shaft to be idle, but is so proportionedas to bring all the actuators of the series E to the zero or 11Cn-voting position at the time the shaft completes its half-turn and theoperating-lever Gr reaches the stop A The resetting mechanism for thelowermost series C of the actuatiirs is somewhat similar. A frame orwheel B on the sleeve B at the lower end of the shaft has a rim Bcarrying a series of upwardly-proecting pins B betweenwhich lie theactuators C. Aslctb in the sleeve and a pin B in the shaft permit therequired lost motion and insure the return of all the aotuatirs C tozero. Segmental slots b in the wheel B are provided, through which passthe screws or bolts by which the flange C is fixed to the bottom A.

The means for the return of the intermediate series D of the actuatorsrequires a different mechanism, f:r the reason that the actuators ofthis series have practically unlimited movement greater than could bepermitted by a series of pins in the rim of awheel, and several may begrouped together, as indicated at Members of General Assembly in Fig. 5,necessitating a selecting mechanism adapted to engage each itsindividual actuator and return it. This is accomplished by twospider-frames L and M, one above the other, equipped with lugs L M,projecting upwardly on the upper frame L and downwardly on the lowerframe M. The lugs on each are arranged successively farther from thecenter, but stand in equally-spaced radii, giving a vr lute-like form tothe frames. The two frames coincide in position when the operating-leveris against the step A, with just space enough between the lugs L l toreceive an actuator. The lowermost frame M of the pair has a hub M fixedon the shaft B by a pin B and carries a sprocket-wheel M fixed by thesame pin or otherwise to turn with the shaft. The upper frame L issupported on the lower frame (see Fig. 9) and has a hub L incl: sing thelower part of the hub or sleeve M below the sprocket-wheel M On the hubM is fixed a gear-wheell\f*,1neshing with a gear-wheel N,mounted on astud A, fixed in the stationary bar A. The bass N of the gear-wheel Ncarries a sprocket-wheel is provided. jlatch pivoted on the top A withinthe fence A having a vertical lug 0, arranged to be proper time.

N in the same plane with the sprocket-wheel M and connected to thelatter by a sprocketchain N The result attained by these gear andsprocket wheels is the movement of the frames L and M in oppositedirections.

The actuatirs D, as before described, are each provided with lugsD and Dabove and below a channel (1, in which the frames L and M may both move,and as the lugs D and D on the actuat:rs and the lugs L and M on theframes are successively and equally removed farther and farther from theshaft it follows that in moving the frames in opposite directions intocoincidence the lugs therecnwill contact with the corresponding lugs onthe actuaittzrs and with no others, and CL nsequently return all theactuators D to their respective Zero or non-voting positions ready forthe next voter to locate them as he may desire after freeing them by thereturn movement of the operating-lever G to the notch a.

To prevent repeating or successive raising and lowering movements of theoperating-lever by the same voter, the mechanism shown in detail inFigs. 12, 13, 14, and 15 O is a horizontally-swinging forced under theskirt G of the sliding sleeve G when the latter is elevated by theaction of a spring O and also equipped with a vertical arm 0sufficiently in rear of the lug O to avoid the skirt and sufficientlyhigh to be engaged by a dog GM on the skirt, arranged to force the lug 0from beneath the skirt at the O" is a lever pivoted to astandard Awithin the fence, the long arm normally depressed by gravity and adaptedto engage an arm 0 on the latch and hold its lug 0 clear of the skirtand the short arm 0 arranged to be depressed by the operatinglever G inentering the notch a in the fence. The operation of the latch is asfollows: Assuming the operating-lever to be elevated and in contact withthe stop A the dog G will have struck the vertical arm 0 and thrown thelatch outward far enough to permit the lever O to fall and engage it andhold the lug O away from the skirt G until released. In this positionthe counter-rings are in the elevated condition and cannot be lowered,because the operating-lever is held up by the fence. The movement of theoperating-lever toward the notch a retracts the dog G but the latch isstill held, as above described, until the operating-lever sinks into thenotch and by contact with the lever-arm O releases the latch, allowingthe spring 0 to draw the lug 0 against the skirt G2 but as the latterhas partially descended the lug cannot get beneath it. This conditionobtains until the operating-lever is raised to operate the counters,when at the sufficient lifting of the skirt G the lug O, impelled by thespring immediately moves beneath it and when required by a lock Pprevents a second descent of the operatingever until the latter has beenagain moved back to its stop A and the machine condi tioned for asucceeding voter. This locking mechanism is concealed beneath a coverplate (not shown) within the fence to prevent tampering, the cover beingslotted to permit the lever O to act.

The vote is counted by inspection of the several counters and noting thenumber of times they have been operated, as indicated by the numbersshown thereon. To prevent confusion, provision is made for allowing onlythe counters for candidates for one office to be inspected at one time.This is effected byproviding belts orbands P P P, of metal, encirclingthe spaces between the casing-rings A A A A, and A A and supported inthe annular rabbets a on the margins of such rings. The ends of eachbelt are riveted to gether, as at P and serve as a means for moving thebelt circumferentially. On each belt is a sliding door P adapted tocover an aperture 1) in the belt and be held closed In counting thevotes the door is unlocked and slid from the aperture and the belt movedto present the aperture opposite a group of counters representing thevote for candidates for that office, the results thereon being noted bythe election board. The belt is again shifted to the next group, and soon until all have been recorded. The receptacles (not shown) for theindependent ballots may be reached through the same aperture orotherwise.

If the election be limited to only a few offices or candidates, or iffor any reason it is desirable to temporarily omit any of the countersF, such unnecessary counters may be rendered inoperative by turning themoutwardly away from the line of the actuatortoes, as indicated in dottedlines in the lower portion of Fig. 7. Each counter has a block F havingan angular lower face, (see Fig. 18,) and the counter is mounted on apinF extending through the block and into cars F secured to thecounter-ring, on which the counter may be turned. Between the ears andbeneath the blockis aflat spring F pressing upward against the lowerfaceof the block presented thereto. In one position the counter is heldupright with its star-wheel in position to contact with an actuator-toe,and in the other position the counter is held by the action of thespring against the other face of the block in an inclined position inwhich the star-wheel is out of the line of contact.

The machine may be supported on legs or other standards to present itsdecks conveniently and may be inclosed in any suitable booth. I havedevised a supporting means also adapted to serve as a storage ortransportation receptacle for the machine, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and2. R is a box or receptacle, shown as rectangular, having insidedimensions large enough to allow the machine to sink therein. At eachcorner of the bottom is a step R for a screw-shaft R guided above in acorner-plate R secured in the angle near the top. On each screw-shaft isa sprocket-wheel R just abovethe step, and all four of thesprocket-wheels are connected by a sprocket-chain R so as to turntogether and in the same direction, and one of the screw-shafts has asquared extension R projecting above its plate R and adapted to receivethe square socket on a wrench or crank R by which motion may becommunicated to all the screw-shafts simultaneously. R is a cross-frameof four arms carrying at the extremity of each a boss R", which is boredand tapped to match to its screw-shaft, which extends therethrough. Thusarranged the turret or casing may be easily raised or lowered relativelyto the box. The latter may be supplied with a cover. (Not shown.) Theoperating-lever is preferably in two sections, telescoped together at Gand arranged to be easily separated at that joint, allowing the machineto descend completely into the box, in which the handle portion of thelever may also be deposited.

The curtain-booth shown may be employed. It consists of a tube S,fitting snugly upon the projecting upper end of the shaft B and turningtherewith. The upper end carries a series of arms S of light but sti'lfwire supported in sockets S and held in position by links S hingedthereto at S and having their free ends engaged in the open upper end ofthe tube. A cord or wire S oins the overhung ends of the arms, uponwhich is hung a curtain S extending about seven-eighths of the distancearound the machine. The latter being set in a corner of thevoting-place, as indicated in Fig. 2, the voter entering the booth andturning the operating-lever the half-revolution required forconditioning the machine to receive or record his vote also turns thetube S and its arms and carries the opening at which he entered aroundto the wall, thus concealing the machine and himself and allowing him tomake his selections in secret. The reverse movement in leaving the boothconditions it and the machine for the next voter.

The operation of voting may be briefly described as follows: Thevoterfinds the operating-lever against the stop A, in which posi tionthe counter-rings are in the elevated position. He moves theoperating-lever Gr around to the notch a and permits it to descend. Thehalf-revolution releases all the actuators from their resetting means,and the descent of the counters takes place at a time when all theactuators are at zero and out of the paths of the star-wheels. The voterthen grasps the hand-lever J raises it from its notch a and moves it inthe slot at until the pointer C is at the name of the party whose tickethe wishes to vote and returns the hand-lever to its notch a If astraight ticket is to be voted, he then raises the operating-lever outof its notch a and moves the operating-lever in the reverse directionback to the stop A. If a split ticket is to be voted, he moves theactuator from any party candidate at which it was placed to any othercandidate whose name appears for that office or to the independent spaceand deposits his ballot in the slot. He then raises the operating-leverand moves it as before. By moving the hand-lever the actuators may allbe set for independent candidates, in which case the voter will depositballots in all the slots for such names as heselects for the variouso-ifices. showing its figures through an opening in the top of themachine and operated through means not shown, but which will be readilyunderstood, by the lifting of the arms G Its function is to indicate thetotal vote or the number of times the operating-lever has raised. Thecounters F in each group are preferably numbered to correspond withsimilar figures on the deck above adjacent to the candidates names toserve as an aid in identifying each counter with its candidate incounting up the result.

Modifications may be made within wide limits without departing from theprinciple of the invention or sacrificing its advantages. The volutespider-frames employed for returning the actuators D may be substitutedfor the means shown for returning the other actuators. The sprocketwheels and chain for inducing the reverse movements of suchspider-frames may be replaced by spur gearwheels. Although I have shownsixteen actuators in each series, the number may be greater or smallerin each or in all. The number of political parties represented may beincreased or diminished, requiring a corresponding change in the numberof counters in each group. Instead of three decks and three series ofactuators there may be more or less, or one deck and one series ofactuators alone may serve. The receptacle for the machine may be variedor omitted, as may also the curtain and frame serving as a booth.

I claim 1. In a voting-machine, a horizontallydisposed circular casinghaving an annular slot and carrying a plurality of names or otheridentifying symbols of candidates to be voted for, a registeringmechanism for each of such names, an actuator loosely mounted on avertical center in said casing and having a portion extending radiallythrough said slot to the exterior of said casing, whereby said actuatormay be swung horizontally to a selected name and into operable relationto the registering mechanism therefor, and means for simultaneouslymoving said registering mechanisms vertically relatively to F is acounter,

said actuator to operate the registering mech anism for the selectedname by contact with said actuator.

2. In a voting-machine, a horizontallydisposed circular casing having anannular slot and carrying a plurality of groups of names or otheridentifying symbols of cand1 dates to be voted for, a registeringmechanism for each of said names, an actuatorfor each group looselymounted on a vert cal center in said casing and having a portionextending radially through said slot, whereby each of said actuators maybe swung hori- Zontally to a selected name in its group and intooperable relation to the registering mechanism for such name, and meansfor s1- multaneously moving said registering mechanisms verticallyrelatively to said actuators to operate the registering mechanisms forthe selected names by contact with said actua tors.

3. In a voting-machine, a horizontallydisposed circular casing having anannular slot and carrying a plurality of groups of names or otheridentifying symbols of candidates to be voted for, each grouprepresenting an office and having its names arranged in the same partyorder, a registering mech anism for each of said names, a plurality ofactuators loosely mounted to swing horrzontally in said casing andhaving a portion on each actuator extending radially through said slotto the exterior of said casing, whereby any of said actuators may beswung independently to a selected name, means for en gaging saidactuators and swinging them simultaneously to the names of candidates ofthe same party in the several groups and into operable relation to theregistering mechanisms for such names, and means for simultaneouslymoving said registering mechanisms vertically relatively to saidactuators to operate the registering mechanisms for the selected namesby contact with said actuators.

4. In a voting-machine, a circular casing having an annularly-arrangedslot, a deck on said casing bearing the names or other identifyingsymbols of the candidates, a plurality of radially arranged actuatorswithin said casing having a portion protruding through said slotadjacent to said names, and means for moving said actuators to the namesselected and into operable relation with said registering mechanismstherefor.

5. In a voting-machine, a circular casing having an annularly-arrangedslot, a deck on said casing bearing a' plurality of groups of names orother identifying symbols of the candidates, each group representing anoffice and. having the names thereon arranged in the same party order ineach, registering mechanism for each of said names, a radiallyarrangedactuator for each group centered within said casing and having a portionprotruding through said slot, means for setting IIO the actuatorssimultaneously to the names of candidates of the same party in saidgroups, and means formoving said actuators and mechanisms relatively toeach other to operate said mechanisms.

6. In a voting-machine, a circular casing having an annularly-arrangedslot, a deck on said casing bearing a series of party names or symbolsand a plurality of groups of names or other identifying symbols of thecandidates, each group representing an ofiice and having the namestherein arranged in the same party order as said series, registeringmechanism for each of said names, a radiallyarranged actuator for eachgroup and for said series, the actuator for the latter having aprojecting part extending through said slot adjacent to said deck andserving as an index, means for moving all of said actuatorssimultaneously to set them to vote a party-ticket indicated by theposition of said index relatively to said series, and means for movingsaid actuators and mechanisms relatively to each other to operate saidmechanisms.

7. In a voting-machine, a casing, a plurality of registering mechanismswithin said casing, a plurality of actuators arranged radially thereofon a central bearing and adapted to swing thereon into operable relationwith said mechanisms, and means for moving said mechanisms relatively tosaid actuators to operate said mechanisms.

8. In a voting-machine, a casing, a plurality of registering mechanismsarranged in a series of groups within saidcasing, a plurality ofactuators arranged radially of said casing on a central bearing andadapted to swing thereon, means for swinging said actuatorssimultaneously into operable relation to selected registering mechanismsin said groups, and means for moving said series of registeringmechanisms relatively to said actuators to operate said mechanisms.

9. In a voting-machine, a casing, a plurality of actuators arrangedradially therein on a central bearing and adapted to swing thereon, aplurality of registering mechanisms in a series of groups concentric tosaid bearing, one group for each actuator and the registering mechanismsof each of groups arranged in the same party order, means for engagingand swinging said actuators into operable relation with the same partymechanism in each group and releasing said actuators, whereby any of thelatter is free to be moved into operable relation with another mechanismin the same or another group, and means for moving said series ofmechanisms relatively to said actuators to operate said mechanisms.

10. In a voting-machine, a casing, a vertical shaft located therein, aseries of radiallyarranged actuators centered on said shaft, a framecentered on said shaft and carrying registering mechanisms arrangedconcentrically thereto, means for moving said actuators into operablerelation with said registering mechanisms, and means for raising saidframe and operating said mechanisms by contact with said actuators.

11. In a voting-machine, a casing, a vertical shaft located therein, aseries of radiallyarranged actuators centered on said shaft, a framecentered on said shaft and carrying registering mechanisms arrangedconcentrically thereto, means loosely mounted on said shaft and operablefrom the exterior of said casing for simultaneously moving saidactuators into operable relation with said registering mechanisms, andmeans for raising said frame and operating said mechanisms.

12. In a voting-machine, a casin a vertical shaft located therein, aseries of radiallye arranged actuators loosely centered on said shaft,registering mechanisms arranged concentrically thereto, means for movingsaid actuators into operable relation with said registering mechanisms,means for raising said mechanisms and operating them by con tact withsaid actuators, and means carried by said shaft for returning saidactuators to the original position.

13. In a voting-machine, a casing, a vertical shaft located therein, aseries of radiallyarranged actuators loosely centered onsaid shaft, aframe loosely centered on said shaft, registering mechanisms carried bysaid frame and arranged concentrically to said shaft, means for movingsaid actuators into operable relation with said registering mechanisms,means carried by said shaft for returning said actuators to the originalpositions, a lever connected to said shaft and frame whereby the lattermay be raised to operate said registering mechanisms and the shaftturned to return said actuators.

14. In a voting-machine, a casing having a vertical shaft therein, aseries of radially-arranged actuators loosely centered on said shaft, aframe loosely centered on said shaft and carrying registering mechanismsarranged concentrically thereto, means for moving said actuators intooperable relation with said registering mechanisms, means for raisingsaid frame to operate said registering mechanisms, and a locking meansarranged to prevent a succeeding descent of said frame until released.

15. In a voting-machine, a casing, a vertical shaft therein, a series ofradially-arranged actuators loosely centered on said shaft, a frameloosely centered on said shaft and carrying registering mechanismsarranged concentrically thereto, means for moving said actuators intooperable relation with said registering mechanisms, means moving withsaid shaft for returning said actuators to the original positions, alever connected to said shaft and to said frame and adapted to raise andlower the latter to operate said registersiaie ing mechanisms and alsoto turn said shaft, locking means arranged to prevent the descent ofsaid frame, and means actuated by a partial revolution of said shaft forreleasing said locking means.

16. In a voting-machine, a casing, a vertical shaft therein, a series ofradially-arranged actuators loosely centered on said shaft, a frameloosely centered on said shaft and carrying registering mechanismsarranged concentrically thereto, means for moving said actuators intooperable relation with said registering mechanisms, means moving withsaid shaft for returning said actuators to the original positions, avertical flange on said casing surrounding said shaft, a notch in saidflange, a lever connected to said shaft and frame and adapted to sinkand rise in said notch and to ride in the raised condition upon saidflange, a locking means arranged to prevent a succeeding descent in saidnotch, and means for releasing said locking means by the partialrevolution of said shaft.

17. In a voting-machine, a circular casing having an annularly-arrangedslot, a vertical shaft centrally located in said casing, a series ofactuators loosely mounted on a sleeve inclosing said shaft, and having aportion of each extending through said slot, and each capable of beingswungindependently by such portion, a wheel loosely mounted on saidshaft and operated from the exterior of said casing and arranged to bepartially rotated and raised and lowered, pins on said wheel adapted toengage said actuators and swing them simultaneously when said wheel isin one vertical position and to release said ac tuators and permit themto be moved independently when said wheel is in the other verticalposition, and a series of concentrically-arranged registering mechanismsoperated by said actuators, whereby all of said actuators may be movedsimultaneously to certain selected registering mechanisms and either ofsaid actuators subsequently moved to another of said mechanisms.

18. In a voting-machine, a casing, a vertical shaft therein, a series ofactuators loosely centered on said shaft and capable of swingingthereon, lugs on said actuators at different distances from said shaft,a wheel moving with said shaft and having lugs similarly arranged andadapted to engage said lugs on sald actuators and return the latter toan original position.

19. In a voting-machine, a casing, a shaft therein, a series ofactuators loosely centered on said shaft and capable of swingingthereon, lugs on said actuators arranged in pairs, each pair at adifferent distance from said shaft, a pair of wheels moving with saidshaft in opposite directions, each having lugs similarly arranged andadapted to engage said lugs on said actuators and return them to anoriginal position.

20. In a voting-machine, a circular casing having a plurality ofcircular decks and an annular slot adjacent to each of said decks, avertical shaft arranged centrally of said casing, a plurality of seriesof radial actuators loosely centered on said shaft, each actuator havinga portion or head projecting through one of said slots by which it maybe moved independently therein, and a portion or toe within said casingadapted to lie in the path of a registering mechanism when presentedthereto, a wheel loosely mounted on said shaft and adapted to engage theactuators of such plurality of series and move them simultaneously intooperative relation to certain of said registering mechanisms, andadapted to release said actuators and permit them to be movedindependently by said heads.

21. In a voting-machine, a circular casing having a plurality ofcircular decks and an annular slot adjacent to each of said decks, avertical shaft arranged centrally of said casing, a plurality of seriesof registering mechanisms arranged concentrically in said casing, aplurality of radial actuators loosely centered on said shaft, eachactuator having a portion or head projecting through one of said slotsby which it may be moved independently therein, and a portion or toeWithin said casing adapted to lie in the path of one of said registeringmechanisms when presented thereto, a wheel loosely mounted on said shaftand adapted to engage the actuators of said plurality of series and movethem simultaneously into operative relation to certain of saidregistering mechanisms, and adapted to release said actuators and permitthem to be moved independently by said heads, and means for moving saidregistering mechanisms relatively to said actuators to operate saidmechanisms.

22. In-a voting-machine, a casing composed of annular superposedsections, portions of which are cylindrical and portions conical, eachsucceeding conical portion being of less diameter, the said sectionsseparated from each other to form annular slots and spaces, andsupported by brackets and bosses on said sections engaged withstandards, the Whole forming a turret-like structure having inclineddecks of different diameters.

23. In a voting-machine, a casing composed of annular superposedsections separated from each other to form annular spaces, series ofregistering mechanisms within said casing adjacent to said spaces, beltscovering said spaces and adapted to be moved circumferentially of saidcasing, and an opening in each belt through which said registeringmechanisms may be inspected.

24. In a voting-machine, a casing composed of annular superposedsections separated from each other toform annular spaces, series ofregistering mechanisms within said casing adjacent to said spaces,annular belts covering said spaces and adapted to be movedcircumferentially of said casing, an opening in each belt through Whichsaid registering mechanisms may be inspected, a cover for said opening,and a locking means for said cover.

25. In a voting-machine, a casing composed of annular sections having anannular space between them, registering mechanisms Within said casingadjacent to said space, an annular belt covering said space and adaptedto be moved circumferentiallyof said casing, an opening in said beltthrough Which said registering mechanisms may be inspected, and meansfor closing and locking said opening.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affiX mysignature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

CHARLES F. HARRINGTON.

Witnesses:

HARRY O. HARRINGTON, OHARLEs R. SEARLE

